Love came triumphant to my soul last night, As music breathes from Heaven's noblest sphere— A tender, careless, acquiescent flight, Mist-veiled in ringlets of a thousand curls. She then, I know well, ends the world's despair, The aching loss in souls from deepest pain To ecstasy of love and Love's great ties— Her joys, her quests, and sovereign disdain, Dark eyes, ruby lips, and teeth of pearls To melting words, as soft as summer's air. The yielding sweet expression of her face, From soft converse in smiles, to love-gemmed tears Of Passion like the season, wildered heart and place. I gazed and gazed again, my every glance Like lightning on her brow: brief space to years Weaved in her treasured, sun-gold wondrous hair. Listless there, dream-drowsy in a perfumed trance Encircled by my arms lies Love. Sweet surrender! A maze of misty flame—sun-splendor! 'Tis that, I know, makes all the world so fair. Soft-footed Asiatics trailed this Love, Greeks ankleted, in gems or togas bright; As old her slaves as those who watch above— Peplum purpling and rich balconies o' night— Adown the winding stairs of History. Mystery—strange, sleep-swaying scents—through Lips, rose-liquor that the sphinxes knew; Beauteous eyes and cheeks the angels have caressed, Hers was the perfume o'er the martyrs' shrine; By theme and song her tenderest mood expressed. Oh! Past, well dost thou know this Love of mine! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHITE NOCTURNE by CONRAD AIKEN FRAGMENTS WRITTEN WHILE TRAVELING...A MIDWESTERN HEAT WAVE by JAMES GALVIN ON BRODSKY'S COLLECTED by MICHAEL S. HARPER THE STARLING; SONNET by AMY LOWELL SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: JOSEPH DIXON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |